Shemar Stewart Holding Out Could Create Nightmare For Bengals

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by Tobias LinkinJuly 11, 2025, 1:03 am >

The Cincinnati Bengals and rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart have yet to agree to a contract, as the rookie remains unsigned.

The Bengals’ front office, which is notorious for frustrating players, added new language to Stewart’s deal that was not in the contract of the team’s last two first-round picks.

The language would allow the Bengals to forfeit future guarantees if Stewart were to get into trouble, including a suspension, off-field conduct issues or an arrest.

“I’m 100 percent right,” Stewart said. “I’m not asking for nothing you all have never done before, but in you all case, you all just want to win an argument instead of winning more games.”

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This is the longest holdout by a first-round pick since the collective bargaining agreement in 2011. The previous longest was Joey Bosa in 2016 with the San Diego Chargers.

Stewart has more leverage than rookies in the past due to the NIL money he earned in college and his options outlined in the CBA.

If Stewart doesn’t ever sign with the Bengals, he would be eligible to re-enter the NFL Draft in 2026. Any team, except for the Bengals, would be eligible to draft him.

A team can also trade an unsigned rookie for up to 30 days before the start of the regular season. If Stewart and the Bengals can’t agree on the language of the contract, he could be on the market.

Stewart isn’t the only Bengal sitting out. Star defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson hasn’t participated in offseason activities as he holds out for a contract increase.

“Last year, we had two. This year, we have one,” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said of the holdouts the Bengals have dealt with. “So we do have less. You’d love to have none, but that’s life in the NFL.”